Apple updates iOS versions of iMovie, GarageBand

Apple has updated iMovie for iOS devices, adding support for audio and video output via HDMI, as well as updating GarageBand for iPad with new support for AirPlay and audio file importing.

iMovie 1.2.1 for iOS

Apple states that the new iMovie update now delivers audio playback through the Apple Digital AV Adapter, and can similarly play full screen videos to an HDTV from the Marquee page.

The update also "resolves some cases of missing media in projects," "provides more accurate clip grouping by date in Video browser," "fixes an issue where a project's background music would not fade in or out," and addresses other performance and reliability issues.

iMovie for iOS debuted on iPhone 4 and the fourth generation iPod touch last summer, and was expanded for use on the new iPad 2 at its launch this spring.

GarageBand 1.2.1 for iPad

The new update for GarageBand, which was first launched alongside the iPad 2 this spring (and also works with the original iPad), brings support for audio playback via AirPlay, Bluetooth devices and to HDMI devices when using the Digital AV Adapter. External audio playback must be turned off (via Song Settings, pictured below) to record audio with the Sampler.

The new version also supports import of Apple Loops; AIFF, WAV, and CAF audio files as well as uncompressed 16-bit, 44.1 kHz raw audio data (the format of CD audio). Users can import audio data files into GarageBand on an iPad using the File Sharing pane of iTunes to sync the data to the device.

Users can now also copy and paste audio into GarageBand projects from other iOS apps that support sending audio data to the clipboard.

Apple notes that the update also "improves overall stability and addresses a number of minor issues," including "occurrences of GarageBand freezing while playing Smart Instruments."

I don't know if this is a bug or if it's simply bad programming or a bad design choice, but there's a problem with Garageband. I hope that the new update fixes this problem.

When you play the drum kit, the snare drum is complete crap. It doesn't matter where you hit it or how hard you hit it, the velocity and loudness is all over the place. You can hit the snare drum 5 times in a row in the exact same spot, and the volume of the snare drum jumps up and down. It's not stable enough. I've also read similar complaints from others, so it's not just me. It's kind of hard to play a beat when the snare drum loudness keeps jumping up and down. There should at least be an option to have the snare drum sound identical from hit to hit if you so choose.

I've tried other drum apps on the iPad and they don't suffer from that problem.

You have to manually go to each app in the app store and click update. Don't know why that is?

Yeah, that's weird. Third party updates show up in the app store, but not Apple's own software?

I'm updating garageband right now as we speak. I also got an extra prompt stating that I already owned the software and that the update is free, would I like to continue? I've never gotten a prompt like that before when updating iPad software.

Yeah, that's weird. Third party updates show up in the app store, but not Apple's own software?

I'm updating garageband right now as we speak. I also got an extra prompt stating that I already owned the software and that the update is free, would I like to continue? I've never gotten a prompt like that before when updating iPad software.

Have you ever updated by downloading the new version from that app's page in the Store? Because that happens every single time when you do it that way.

Have you ever updated by downloading the new version from that app's page in the Store? Because that happens every single time when you do it that way.

I guess I have never updated by going directly to the app page before, that would explain it.

The only times that I update something is when I see the little red circle, letting me know that there's an update available. I just thought it was strange that it didn't notify me that there was any update available for Garageband, when it seems to work for all sorts of third party apps.

If I hadn't read this thread, I wouldn't even have known that there was a new update for garageband. I don't go checking the app's page in the app store for apps which I have already bought and downloaded.

Nice update, but I'd rather see AirPlay support for Keynote. I outfitted my conference room with an AppleTV 2 right after it was released, in anticipation that it would soon support wireless presenting from iOS devices.

Nice update, but I'd rather see AirPlay support for Keynote. I outfitted my conference room with an AppleTV 2 right after it was released, in anticipation that it would soon support wireless presenting from iOS devices.

nice update, but i'd rather see airplay support for keynote. I outfitted my conference room with an appletv 2 right after it was released, in anticipation that it would soon support wireless presenting from ios devices.

I still dont understand why the imovie app isnt available for the first gen ipad. Come on Apple! Its avsilable for the friggin ipod and not for the original ipad which came out just a year ago? Bogus! :-)

I still dont understand why the imovie app isnt available for the first gen ipad. Come on Apple! Its avsilable for the friggin ipod and not for the original ipad which came out just a year ago? Bogus! :-)

It works on it. It's not that hard to install.

The lack of inclusion stems from your complete inability to get any movie content into it. We don't have any cameras. You'd have to manually put everything in, which is a waste of time and pointless when you'd have iMovie on your computer to do the same work in less time.

The lack of inclusion stems from your complete inability to get any movie content into it. We don't have any cameras. You'd have to manually put everything in, which is a waste of time and pointless when you'd have iMovie on your computer to do the same work in less time.

Not true. You can transfer video to the ipad from a camera or ipod touch via the apple cam kit. Editing short video clips on the road with the original ipad is totally possible. Why should you only be able to do it on the ipad 2? Just because it has a camera? Who shoots video holding up an ipad? I would bet most people use the camera on the ipad 2 to do facetime and NOT as a camera. My point is that the ability to editing video doesnt have to be excluded from the original ipad just because it doesnt have a camera. If that were true, why does apple make the camera kit attachment for the ipad? Simple....to transfer photos and video to it.

Garageband was also not showing up in the Updates section of the App Store on my iPad 2. Had to search for it on the App Store, and interestingly there was Garageband with an Update button next to it (instead of the Buy Now).